How to remove data from your old smartphone? : AVG Technologies, the provider of Internet and mobile security to 146 million active users, released valuable tips on how consumers can remove their personal data before they recycle or throw away their old smartphones. In an era of frequent and seamless device upgrades, it’s easy to ditch an old smartphone and move on to the next. However, chances are the old smartphone has personal information lingering on it, putting consumers at a greater risk of identity theft. While the factory reset button seems like the logical place to start, numerous industry and security experts report that even after consumers carry out this exercise, personal information often remains.